D.a. Probe Centers On Walnutport Officials

April 23, 1985|by DAVID M. ERDMAN, The Morning Call

Half of Walnutport's top elected officials may resign or face criminal charges in connection with a reported break-in at borough hall, Northampton County District Attorney Donald B. Corriere confirmed last night.

Two borough police officials also are being investigated in connection with the alleged break-in, said Corriere, calling the case "very unusual."

In response to questions yesterday from The Morning Call, Corriere said he was able to confirm that an investigation by his office and state police at the Bethlehem barracks has determined "there are sufficient facts to warrant prosecution." Corriere said charges of trespass and official oppression (improper search of another's property) were being investigated.

The investigation stemmed from a police complaint filed by Richard Manfredi, the borough's business manager who was ousted by council last month. The complaint, which implicated borough officials, says that Manfredi's office was broken into and his files gone through the weekend of March 1, according to borough police.

About the time the break-in was reported, council members and Manfredi were at odds over how much power Manfredi should have to run daily borough operations.

No one contacted by The Call, however, could explain what might have been sought in Manfredi's files.

Criminal charges may not be filed if the suspected individuals resign from public office, Corriere said. He added that, as of yesterday, it was unclear how many public officials implicated in the incident might be considering resignation.

"We feel there is some merit in considering resignations as a proper remedy, coupled with an admission of wrongdoing, an admission that there was a breach of public obligation, or an admission of ethical wrongdoing," said Corriere.

If borough officials were unwilling to publically admit wrongdoing, Corriere added, he would be unwilling to accept resignations.

"We'd look for some kind of admission that it is not the kind of conduct which public officials should be carrying on," he said.

The district attorney's office is not pressuring officials to resign, said Corriere. He explained that borough officials, through a representative, asked a member of the district attorney staff, "what effect their resignations would have on the investigation."

Corriere said his office is considering accepting the resignations in lieu of charges being filed, "not to excuse what they did," but "we think that the remedy would better be served by having them resign."

What he meant by that, Corriere explained, is to remove the officials from office - "to have them resign so they would no longer function as public officials."

Atty. Dan Spengler, an assistant district attorney assigned to the case, would only say, "We've heard information that several people have proposed resigning."

While Corriere declined to name officials, he confirmed that three council members, one other borough official, and two patrolmen are being investigated.

"Not all, but most of them have indicated they are willing to resign," said Corriere. Walnutport police officials involved, he said, might face separate disciplinary action.

Resignation letters from Council President Susan Hamm, and council members Shirley Chimich and Franklin Henry are being held at borough hall, according to Borough Secretary Debra Olewine.

Olewine said Chimich handed her a resignation letter last Wednesday, while she said Borough Police Chief Russell Fye told her Hamm and Henry gave him their resignation letters.

Hamm and Chimich refused comment last night, while Henry could not be reached.

Fye could not be reached for comment and Patrolman Paul Romanic declined to contact Fye for comment when requested by The Call.

Mayor Henry Kline told The Call that "some people" were seeking his resignation, but that he does not intend to resign. He told The Call he denied being present when Manfredi's files were allegedly entered. But Kline said he was "aware" of the incident "before it went public."